Mumbai:  DNA , in association with Rotary Club of Hiranandani Estate, Thane, brings on stage the legendary ghazal maestro to recreate the magic of the music form. On the eve of Jagjit Singh Live in Concert (at the Shanmukhananda Auditorium), the veteran exponent of ghazals rues the end of their era in Hindi films.

Jagjit is not singing any film songs currently because he feels there is a lack of taste on the part of today’s filmmakers and music directors. “They don’t know what ghazals are all about and they lack good taste in music. What does AR Rahman know about ghazals? He will never use a ghazal in his films. All they do is pick up tunes from the West,” he says.

He criticises contemporary music directors for ruining the Indianness of sound. “Earlier, in the 60s and 70s, 90% of the music was based on the ghazal. Today, there’s no poetry phrasing, it’s all Western and the language is tapori – a mix of English and Hindi. What kind of lyrics are Pappu can’t dance saala?”

Yet the popularity of the form endures. He says, “My audience has only grown over the years. I always improvise and add variations to my old songs on stage. Every ghazal is re-born on that day.”

Interestingly, Jagjit only performs for a cause. On January 29, at the DNA and Rotary concert, he will perform to provide midday meals for children. He says, “I never give dates to concerts which are just money-making measures. I want to give back to the society. So I give my dates only to charity concerts.”

DNA India

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